Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

News Release

Release No. 990506

SEOUL (USFK) May 19, 1999 – The first 12 of 18 U.S. Air Force F-15E aircraft and approximately 200 personnel from the 90^th Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, began arriving around 1 p.m. today at Kwang Ju Air Base, South Korea.

The unit, part of the 3^rd Wing, Elmendorf AFB, will conduct a variety of training events and activities while in South Korea.

The deployment of this unit does not represent an increase in permanent U.S. capability and personnel in the Republic of Korea, but does represent the inherent flexibility of U.S. military forces to deploy rapidly as necessary to meet mission requirements. As of this time, U.S. Air Force officials have not determined the length of the 90^th Fighter Squadron’s training in South Korea.

The squadron’s deployment is not related to any recent events on the Korean Peninsula or any North Korean activity.

Kwang Ju Air Base is a South Korean Air Force base located about 160 miles south of Seoul and is normally used for training by South Korean Air Force units and U.S. Air Force units on a regular basis.